10 Best Hotels in Central and Western Virginia, Virginia

Two Georgian houses, one of them a former brothel, have been combined and restored to create this old-fashioned inn in the historic district, two blocks from the Downtown Mall. Furnishings throughout are English and Belgian antiques, and several rooms come with a canopy bed, sitting room, fireplace, and whirlpool.

This 1789 home features four luxurious suites and three intimate cottages overlooking the rolling hills of Harrisonburg. The inn combines 21st-century amenities with the old-world elegance of featherbeds and fireplaces. The three cottages feature whirlpool tubs set in front of the fireplace and 4-inch-thick featherbeds. All rooms and suites are furnished with period antiques and reproductions: Colonial in the 1790s main house and Victorian in the 1840s addition.

This former shoe factory and tobacco warehouse turned boutique hotel still pays homage to its beginnings. In the 1800s, the Craddock-Terry Shoe Company was the fifth largest in the world, so to honor its roots, the hotel serves a complimentary continental breakfast delivered in a shoeshine box. Located in the Bluffwalk Center, the Craddock Terry is within walking distance of several restaurants and the Jefferson Brewery, in addition to the two on-site restaurants. All rooms have scenic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains or the James River.

For a taste of Southern history, spend a night at this country inn dating to 1850. Once a plantation house, it's on 56 acres 6 miles north of Lexington. Individually decorated rooms have period antiques and modern amenities; most have gas log fireplaces as well. On the property miles of scenic walking trails and a fishing pond. Several marquee names have slept here, from Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Gere to Bill Clinton and Lady Bird Johnson.

An architectural rarity in the South, this Italianate Victorian mansion was built in 1859 by a grandnephew of James Madison, and generals Stonewall Jackson and Robert E. Lee were early guests. Now Mayhurst is a cozy and comfortable B&B surrounded by 37 acres of woods with hiking trails. Its rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows, marble fireplaces, and antique furnishings; some have whirlpool baths. Included with the room rate is a sumptuous three-course breakfast, evening wine and cheese, and soft drinks and snacks.

The 1987 movie "Dirty Dancing" was filmed here, and the resort (Kellerman's in the movie) is still a popular summer getaway. Centered on the highest natural lake east of the Mississippi, accommodations range from spartan cottages to plush suites in a majestic sandstone hotel from 1930 (the resort itself predates the Civil War). You can also rent two-, three-, and four-bedroom cottages if you need more space for an extended stay. Atop the 4,000-foot Salt Pond Mountain, outdoor activities abound: you can hike, mountain bike, ride horses, swim, and boat within the 2,500-acre Mountain Lake Wilderness, which surrounds the hotel. The adjacent Jefferson National Forest offers even more recreation, including a segment of the Appalachian Trail. A 2012 renovation included a refurbishment of guestrooms and cottages and the addition of an aerial and zip-line adventure course.

This attractive member of the luxury chain looms over the west end of the Downtown Mall. Triangular rooms at the point of the wedge-shaped building get light from two sides. Cherry-color furnishings and sage fabrics decorate the guest quarters, and potted plants soften the bright seven-story atrium lobby.

In the heart of downtown, this historic property is within walking distance of shops, restaurants, and attractions. Built in 1887 as the stable and carriage service of prominent Lexington businessman John Sheridan, the historic structure was carefully renovated and opened as an inn in 1997. Rooms are spacious, with high ceilings, and include the charm of 19th-century furnishings along with modern amenities like Wi-Fi. A Continental breakfast is included in the room rate.

Prepare to be pampered upon arrival with complimentary port and chocolates in the cozy library at this welcoming inn that will make you feel like a local. Located on the quiet end of town, this 1850s farmhouse furnished with antiques and period pieces is within walking distance of restaurants and shopping. Curl up in front of the fireplace on a chilly fall day or enjoy the scenery during warm weather from the spacious front porch. A full home-cooked breakfast in the serene sunroom is included.

Located within walking distance of all of the charming town's attractions, this historic hotel once hosted the many celebrities, such as Ed Sullivan, who served as Grand Marshall at the Shenandoah Valley Apple Blossom Parade. Originally built in 1924, the stunning lobby with its original Tennessee marble floors features a pictorial history of the grand hotel, along with a hip new lounge and upscale restaurant called the Dancing Goat. As it's now part of the Wyndham group, guests can expect rooms furnished with period reproductions, luxury bedding, and modern amenities, from flat screens to high-speed Internet.